Delilah

I woke up that morning in a haze, the whirlwind of press for Outer Banks season 4 finally behind me. The show was finally out in the world. But little did the world know that season five was going to be our last. I was ready for a change and with all the drama that went on, on the set this year, I needed it. Drama that didn't even involve Chase and I. We were probably the most cordial to one another for actually being exes. We always promised each other no matter what happened with our relationship off set, our characters wouldn't suffer. John B and Sarah deserved each other and we vowed to show the fans that.

While I couldn't say that for the rest of our cast mates...I think we all could have used a change in scenery. And this new project felt like exactly that.

No messy breakup energy, no headlines linking me to my ex, and, best of all, it was a sequel to one of my favorite '90s horror flicks, I Know What You Did Last Summer. And I'd landed the lead as the final girl. It was everything I'd wanted and more.

This time, it felt different. I told myself this wasn't just a rebound project to distract me from my past. This was going to be the role that finally showed people I was serious about my craft—more than just a pretty face, more than Sarah Cameron, more than "Chase Stokes' ex." I'd earned my spot here, and I was ready to prove it.

I threw on an oversized band tee and shorts, grabbed my things, and headed out to Earth Cafe for a smoothie. Scrolling through the list of cast members in the contract, I'd recognized a few names, but one in particular had stuck out. And as luck would have it, there he was, standing in line ahead of me, holding what looked suspiciously like my smoothie.

"Excuse me... I think that might be mine," I said, stepping up to him. He turned, his expression a little surprised.

"Oh, fuck, I thought that was way too fast. My bad," he said, his tone warm and apologetic.

His face clicked into place. This was my co-star, my new on-screen love interest—and he was even better-looking in person. I tried to keep my cool, feeling an awkward excitement I hadn't felt in a while. Well, not since I first met Chase at auditions for OBX. Maybe that was a bad example, but it was true.

"No worries...we're headed to the same place anyway. I would've tracked you down." I smiled, immediately realizing how dorky that sounded.

He laughed. "Thank god you spoke up. I saw you walk in and I didn't want to just turn around and be like, 'Delilah, I love Outer Banks,' and have you think I was some random fan."

I grinned, feeling the nervousness melt away a little. "Nicholas, right? Yeah, I know you. I've seen Monsters...twice." I confessed causing a red blush to appear across his face.

We walked out together, the studio just a few doors down, the air between us already feeling unexpectedly easy.

"I mean, I've watched Outer Banks for, like, four years," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. "And you were just wow in Glass Onion. Alright, maybe I should stop now before I sound like a full-on fanboy."

The honesty in his voice made me laugh. Nic's sweetness and slight awkwardness was refreshing; it was so different from the overly confident energy of the guys I'd been with before. This was new.

"Well, what if I told you I recognized you from something else?" I teased.

His eyes widened with an exaggerated cringe. "Oh god, please don't say..."

"Spencer Cassadine. My grandma loves General Hospital." I laughed as his shoulders visibly relaxed.

"Thank god. I thought you were going to say Crushed," he muttered, shaking his head.

I raised my phone, pretending to make a note. "Right. Go home and watch Crushed. Got it."

We were still talking by the time we reached the studio and took our seats for the table read. Not only was Nic easy to talk to, but he was also really, really easy to look at.

The director started with a quick welcome. "Alright, everyone, thanks for being here. We'll do a full table read today, and filming kicks off next week. The premiere's slated for July, so let's make it great."

We opened our scripts, and as we got into it, I couldn't help but notice Nic glancing my way every now and then. Our characters were supposed to be dating in the movie, and most of our dialogue was together, so it wasn't exactly surprising that we had to interact. But still, I couldn't ignore the electricity I felt between us. The looks we exchanged, the laughs—it was more than just acting.

As we moved through the table read, my heart skipped when we got to our first intimate scene in the script. Just as I'd suspected, things were about to get very interesting.

The director paused, looking over at us. "For this scene, we'll have an intimacy coordinator work with you both to ensure everything fits your comfort levels. I know Nic's got some experience with scenes like this, so I want to make sure you're both fully comfortable."

"Experience, huh?" I teased, nudging Nic as we broke for lunch. "Guess I was watching the wrong General Hospital episodes."

He laughed, cheeks reddening. "That was nothing compared to what Ryan Murphy had me do in Grotesquerie."

"Well, clearly, I've been living under a rock. I need to see this," I replied, intrigued as we headed to one of the green rooms to eat.

Lola Tung, who was cast as one of my best friends in the movie, overheard and tossed me her phone with a mischievous grin. "Found it!"

As I watched the scene, Nic covered his face with his hand, though I could tell he was enjoying my reaction just a little bit. I definitely was.

The only word that escaped my mouth when it ended was, "Wow."

"It's pretty theatrical. I mean..." he stammered, trying to explain.

"No, that was...actually pretty hot," I admitted, flashing him a grin. "And it's giving me some ideas for our scenes."

He looked at me with wide eyes, his surprise mixed with something else. "Really?"

"Yep. I've got some homework to do." I smirked, standing up to head back in for the second half of the read-through.

He followed, falling into step beside me. "Care to elaborate on that?"

"Not a chance." I gave him a wink, miming zipping my lips shut.

He let out a low chuckle. "In case you want to brainstorm...maybe we should exchange numbers?"

The dorky guy was smoother than I'd anticipated. I took his phone, tapping in my number with a grin. "For research sharing only, of course."

"Of course," he replied, handing my phone back.

I handed his phone back after entering my number, smirking as he reached for mine. "Here, I'll add mine too," he started, but I quickly closed my hand over my phone.

"Nah," I teased, locking eyes with him. "You've got my number. If you want to talk, you know where to find me."

He blinked in surprise, a playful smile forming as he pulled his hand back, clearly not expecting the brush-off. But as I turned and walked back to my seat, I felt his gaze lingering, and I knew he'd be using that number soon enough.

I told myself after Chase and I's very public breakup, I never wanted to date one of my co-stars again. However there was something about Nic...that made me want to break all my rules. But he'd have to pass a few of my tests first. And to know for sure I wanted to jump into something this messy, I was going to make it hard for him. I had to see how hard he wanted to work for it.

Later that night, just as I was walking toward my car, I heard a familiar voice calling out.

"Delilah!" Nic's voice rang out. I couldn't help but laugh, turning to face him.

"Nic," I smiled. "You know, you can call me DJ or Lilah. My grandma's the only one who still calls me Delilah."

He grinned. "Oh, look at that. One day together, and we're already on a nickname basis!"

"Hmm," I teased. "I think I'll still call you Nicholas."

"Lilah!" he scolded playfully.

"Or if you'd prefer... Father Charlie?" I winked, opening my car door.

He tapped on my window as it rolled down, giving me a playful, intense look. "That nickname I can get behind, Lilah," he said, his voice a little rougher.

"Maybe tomorrow, you'll get behind something else," I smirked, laughing as I caught him blushing before pulling away.

Before I even reached my apartment, my phone pinged.

From: maybe Nicholas Alexander Chavez

Because you wouldn't take my number, I know this text is gonna show up as maybe Nicholas Alexander Chavez.

But totally worth it.

Had fun with you today, Lilah.

From Me

Nicholas Alexander Chavez...should I add all three names to your contact or just go with Father Charlie?

And same here. Lots more to come.

From Nic

If I see Father Charlie pop up at the table read tomorrow, I might lose it on sight.

Please tell me you're not watching Crushed right now.

From Me

👀 Oh, I found it.

From Nic
DELILAH JANE.

From Me
Jason, hmm? 🧐 It's the Cali accent for me.

From Nic
Kill me. Also, I'm from Denver, CO, so you know I was trying hard.

From Me
A Colorado boy? Hmm... I'm a North Carolina girl myself.

From Nic
A Southern belle, as I live and breathe.

From Me
Not even in the slightest, Nicholas. Get to know me, and you'll figure that out.

From Nic
Well, I can't wait.

From Me
You sure you're ready to be stuck with me for the next six months? We're filming in the middle of nowhere in the Australian countryside, so you might actually be my only entertainment.

From Nic
Are you asking if I can juggle? Because I'll learn.

From Me
Sold. I'll play the banjo.

From Nic
Switching my seat on the plane as we speak.

From Me
Wait, are you sitting next to me?

From Nic
I was, but if you're bringing the banjo, I'm out. 22 hours of that...I can't do.

From Me
Fine, no banjo...but please tell me you don't snore. Because 22 hours of that I can't do.

From Nic
Well, I've never been told I do, but...

From Me
So you definitely do. I'll be nice, though. I'll deal with it. Just as long as you don't eat an orange in front of me.

From Nic
You had to do me like that.

From Me
Jason, I said what I said.

We ended up texting for hours. I watched Crushed and all of Grotesquerie, figuring it was only fair after he'd sat through Outer Banks and Glass Onion. At some point, I fell asleep mid-text, only to wake up to a notification on Instagram.

nicholasalexanderchavez is now following you.

Perfect excuse to start a deep dive into my on-screen boyfriend's posts. I was only halfway through the second row when a notification popped up.

nicholasalexanderchavez commented on your post.

This was about to get interesting.

delilahjane: it's giving final girl

Comments:
nicholasalexanderchavez: just sayin, Father Charlie would approve
delilahjane: 🍊🍊🍊 nicholasalexanderchavez

I couldn't help but smirk as I replied. Just as I got out of bed, ready to jump in the shower, my phone rang.

Incoming Call: Nic🍊🍊

"Good morning, Father. Are you in your towel and pore strip?" I teased, reaching over to turn on the water.

"Absolutely," he laughed. "Just finished my Peloton class, too. You should join me next time."

"I'll add it to my list. So, what's up?"

"Well," he said, sounding playful, "I figured I'd be a gentleman today and not steal your smoothie. I'm headed to the studio and stopping by the cafe. Want anything?"

"A true gentleman," I laughed. "Can you grab me a strawberry banana smoothie with chocolate chips? It's not on the menu, but they know me."

"One DJ special coming up. See you soon, princess," he said, hanging up.

Were we flirting?

Being friendly?

Did I want him on top of me?

All of the above.

And we hadn't even started filming yet.